kosmonooit Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Southerly is good, no? tailwind for the second half! Tail wind for a bit when you cross the peninsula E>W then before you know it you turn back into the head wind, and have all those ups and down facing the wind belting down the mountains in ur face, few years ago they actually stopped the race at the top of Suikerbossie, people were getting blown off their bikes, ... but a few of us snuck through, it was so hectic you had to get off the saddle to cycle down hill .. I think my time was 7 hours that year (normally 4+) But whatever .. .enjoy it guys & gals. Wish I could be there but the whole shaban has become too expensive for some of us upcountry bumpkins nowadaze. VolkAdik 1
Vetplant Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 My personal opinion is that is a bit late. Things tend get very hectic at the starting chute, so I always try to get there at least 2 hours before my start. Agree with Jaco. It gets a bit crowded at that time with thousands who are meant to start later, blocking the entrances to the starting chutes. They will then slow you down and stress you oyt. Go at lease 1.5 hrs before your starting time to make it smooth and get into the front half of your starting block.. Just want to get your opinions on when to get to the chute for a 6:41 start time in 1H? Surely not necessary to be there 2 hours before, ie. 4:41?5:30 should probably be fine for getting into the front 30% of the batch, or are the guys very keen to be there early? Seems it is going to be quite chilly on the morning, around 17°C with the wind blowing, might get a bit uncomfortable if you dont shelter from the wind. Do you guys do the black-refuse-bag-over-the-kit trick before the race start? Apparently a nice windbreaker that you then leave at the start in one of the bins... T-Bag68 and VolkAdik 2
HBO Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Just want to get your opinions on when to get to the chute for a 6:41 start time in 1H? Surely not necessary to be there 2 hours before, ie. 4:41?5:30 should probably be fine for getting into the front 30% of the batch, or are the guys very keen to be there early? Seems it is going to be quite chilly on the morning, around 17°C with the wind blowing, might get a bit uncomfortable if you dont shelter from the wind. Do you guys do the black-refuse-bag-over-the-kit trick before the race start? Apparently a nice windbreaker that you then leave at the start in one of the bins...I was there last year just before 5am to be at the front of my start group (1D). They weren't open yet- the auntie still gave orders to the other helpers- and only opened at about 5h10. I was quite upset because the guys from the harbour side already started to enter. It all depends where you want to be in your bunch. If you want to be in the front few rows, then I would suggest not later than 5h15. If you don't mind where you start in the bunch then I would still say that you should be there not later than 6h00. The problem is that people starting at anything from 8h00 till 10h00 are also there at 5h00 and that make getting into the holding area quite a mission. Vetplant, DJR and Long Wheel Base 3
dee_biker Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Got my best seeding ever and no time to train. I will start further back with a friend in 1c on my mtb. Who can I expect to see there? 1C for me too! With some VERY strong friends... Tuck in and come enjoy the ride!
DJR Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 ............The problem is that people starting at anything from 8h00 till 10h00 are also there at 5h00 and that make getting into the holding area quite a mission.This is exactly what causes the congestion between the first general entrance gate and the starting chute gates. Long Wheel Base 1
GAP Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 My CTCT is over, took a tumble on the MTB Trail Sunday, cracked rib and torn shoulder ligament. See you guys next year and enjoy your ride.
Long Wheel Base Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 I was there last year just before 5am to be at the front of my start group (1D). They weren't open yet- the auntie still gave orders to the other helpers- and only opened at about 5h10. I was quite upset because the guys from the harbour side already started to enter. It all depends where you want to be in your bunch. If you want to be in the front few rows, then I would suggest not later than 5h15. If you don't mind where you start in the bunch then I would still say that you should be there not later than 6h00. The problem is that people starting at anything from 8h00 till 10h00 are also there at 5h00 and that make getting into the holding area quite a mission. This is exactly what causes the congestion between the first general entrance gate and the starting chute gates. THIS. The "new" double chute story is a bit congested.2 years back I took the train in and the train had to stop somewhere for a while due to a problem on the track and we got in much later than expected. Getting through the crowds with a tandem was difficult. Add the stress of worrying about missing the start didn't help. Needless to say last year we made another plan to get to the start. DJR and HBO 2
Vetplant Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 I was there last year just before 5am to be at the front of my start group (1D). They weren't open yet- the auntie still gave orders to the other helpers- and only opened at about 5h10. I was quite upset because the guys from the harbour side already started to enter. It all depends where you want to be in your bunch. If you want to be in the front few rows, then I would suggest not later than 5h15. If you don't mind where you start in the bunch then I would still say that you should be there not later than 6h00. The problem is that people starting at anything from 8h00 till 10h00 are also there at 5h00 and that make getting into the holding area quite a mission.I think 5:00 to 5:15 is very doable. We are staying at a cousin's bachelor pad, located just behind the Waterfront, so rolling to the startline will be a short section. Will pack my breakfast and then enjoy that in the chutes. Thanks HBO 1
HOEKVLAG Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Today is a loooong day at work as we are leaving straight after - already packed! Very excited!!!!!!!!! T-Bag68, Long Wheel Base, SilverRider and 5 others 8
DJR Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Today is a loooong day at work as we are leaving straight after - already packed! Very excited!!!!!!!!!Be careful if you are driving HOEKVLAG 1
HOEKVLAG Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Be careful if you are driving Tx DJR. Jip we are driving down, but there's 5 of us so we can share the driving duties. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I've had to have washed sand from my feet! Wannabe, T-Bag68 and Halfdoesyn 3
Pure Savage Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Tx DJR. Jip we are driving down, but there's 5 of us so we can share the driving duties. Hopefully by this time tomorrow I've had to have washed sand from my feet! Just in time for a Chappies coffee ride. HOEKVLAG 1
Bloukrans Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Today is a loooong day at work as we are leaving straight after - already packed! Very excited!!!!!!!!!Drive safely ...and bring your own water HOEKVLAG, Pure Savage, DJR and 2 others 5
dev null Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 (edited) Looks like we are in for a lekka cool day. No more cooking on Bossie for this weekend. Also, wind seems to have changed to a fresh S/SW, with some clouds. I will take anything but heat. Don't want to do another Chappies walk in a 44 degrees oven. Edited March 8, 2017 by Moridin
HOEKVLAG Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Just in time for a Chappies coffee ride.Sounds like good fun, but we're coming down with the MTB's and want to hit Meerendal and some of the other lovely trails you guys are privileged enough to ride regularly! Pure Savage, Halfdoesyn and DJR 3
Riamich Posted March 8, 2017 Posted March 8, 2017 Any roadworks in Simons? Who's starting at 7:02 Yea whoever the clever oke was that said its all downhill after Suikerbossie he probably had 1 to many beers at the bottom ????????
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